Nigeria’s Federal Government has convened an emergency meeting with airline operators and appealed for calm after domestic carriers threatened to suspend operations over a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, urged airlines to shelve plans to halt flights and reconsider any immediate increase in ticket fares, warning of wider economic consequences.
In a letter addressed to the Airline Operators of Nigeria on Thursday, the minister acknowledged the mounting operational challenges facing carriers, particularly the steep rise in the price of Jet A1 fuel.
According to the letter, the cost of aviation fuel has surged from ₦900 per litre as of February 28, 2026, to ₦3,300 per litre—an increase of more than 300 percent in less than two months.
The spike has triggered concerns across the aviation industry, with operators warning that the situation is unsustainable and could force a shutdown of flight operations as early as next week.
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Call for restraint
Mr Keyamo appealed to airlines to exercise restraint in passing rising costs on to passengers, noting that higher fares could significantly reduce demand and limit access to air travel.
“Any immediate upward adjustment in ticket prices would impose significant hardship on the travelling public, potentially depress demand, and limit accessibility to air transport,” he said.
He also cautioned against suspending operations, stressing that such a move would have far-reaching implications for the economy.
“A shutdown would disrupt critical mobility and logistics networks, erode public confidence, and undermine the progress recorded under ongoing reforms,” the minister added.
The government of Bola Tinubu, he said, considers the aviation sector a strategic national asset vital to trade, security, employment, and economic integration.
Emergency talks scheduled
To address the crisis, the government has scheduled a high-level stakeholders’ meeting for April 22 in Abuja. The meeting is expected to bring together regulators, airline operators, and other key players to find a “prompt, practical, and sustainable resolution.”
Mr Keyamo assured industry players that the government is taking the issue seriously and is working on immediate measures to ease the pressure on operators.
He also commended airlines for maintaining services despite difficult operating conditions, describing their resilience as critical to sustaining the sector.
Airlines warn of collapse
In a separate communication dated April 14, the Airline Operators of Nigeria described the fuel price increase as “astronomical and artificial,” warning that revenues are no longer sufficient to cover even fuel costs.
The group said the surge poses an existential threat to the industry, raising the prospect of widespread disruptions if urgent action is not taken.
Operators warned that a shutdown of domestic flights would trigger job losses, disrupt financial institutions, and worsen insecurity by limiting mobility across the country.
They also noted that transferring the increased costs to passengers through higher ticket prices could further suppress demand, creating a vicious cycle of declining revenues and rising operational strain.
Sector under pressure
Nigeria’s aviation industry has long grappled with high operating costs, currency volatility, and infrastructure constraints. The latest spike in Jet A1 prices has intensified pressure on already fragile airline balance sheets.
Aviation fuel remains one of the largest cost components for airlines, often accounting for up to 40 percent of total operating expenses. Any sharp increase in prices can quickly erode margins and threaten profitability.
The current crisis highlights the delicate balance policymakers must strike between protecting consumers from fare hikes and ensuring the financial viability of airlines.
Search for lasting solutions
Analysts say the outcome of next week’s emergency meeting will be critical in determining whether the sector can avoid a disruptive shutdown.
Potential solutions could include fuel price stabilization measures, targeted subsidies, or policy interventions aimed at improving supply and reducing costs.
For now, the government’s immediate priority is to keep planes in the air while working toward longer-term reforms that can shield the aviation sector from recurring shocks.
